Israel had qualified to the final for three consecutive years between 2008 and 2010 prior to their non-qualification in 2011 with the song "Ding Dong" performed by Dana International.

IBA confirmed Israel's participation in the contest on 7 August 2011 despite previous rumours of a withdrawal due to difficulties of Azerbaijan's open border with Iran, as well as the date of the final, 26 May 2016, coinciding with the Shavuot holiday.

[6] A special committee consisting of music industry professionals and members from IBA and OGAE Israel considered songs received from an additional four artists: Chen Aharoni, Maya Bouskilla, Svika Pick and Vladi Bleyberg, before Izabo was ultimately selected.

Cabra Casay, Karolina and Red Band were also invited by IBA to submit a song but turned down the offer.

The members of the committee were Yaakov Naveh (ACUM representative), Nimrod Lev (musician), Mira Awad (2009 Israeli Eurovision entrant), Gilad Segev (singer), Roi Yechezkel (president of OGAE Israel), Izchak Sonnenschein (Head of Israeli Eurovision delegation), Rina Hachmon (Channel 1 Head of television), Tal Argaman (Channel 1 entertainment and culture producer), Roni Yedidia (musician) and Ofer Nachshon (Channel 1 presenter).

[7][8] "Time", written by band members Ran Shem-Tov and Shiri Hadar, was a song in a bilingual mix of English and Hebrew.

The LED screens displayed a rotating clock inscribed with the song title "Time" in the center, surrounded by small stop watches against images of large cog wheels.

This jury judged each entry based on: vocal capacity; the stage performance; the song's composition and originality; and the overall impression by the act.